The Opulist Edit: Hawaii's Most Beautiful Stays and Tables

Hawaii's design language runs across six islands but keeps returning to the same materials: teak and oak, volcanic stone, woven rattan, roofs of thatch or timber that open straight onto the Pacific. This edit gathers ten places that put those materials to good use, five resorts and five restaurants spread from the lava fields of the Kona Coast to the bluffs above Hanalei Bay.

Some are grand oceanfront properties with multiple pools and golf courses attached. Others are single dining rooms built around a coffered ceiling or a slab of veined marble. What connects them is a commitment to natural light, to the view, and to rooms that feel built for these islands rather than dropped onto them.

Mauna Lani

Mauna Lani, part of Auberge Resorts Collection, sits on 32 oceanfront acres along the Kohala Coast, with 333 rooms and suites, three pools and two 18-hole golf courses. The design leans into tropical modernism: vaulted timber ceilings, a floating reflection pool and fully retractable glass walls that open the lobby to the trade winds. A vintage outrigger canoe hangs inside as a nod to the site's Hawaiian roots, and the beachfront CanoeHouse restaurant serves craft cocktails and small plates for around $150 a person.

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Kona Village, a Rosewood resort, scatters thatched-roof bungalows across lava fields on a secluded stretch of the Kona Coast, built more like a village than a conventional resort block. Vaulted timber ceilings and sweeping sculptural thatch roofs set the architectural tone, alongside volcanic stone landscaping and a stacked stone fire feature by the pool. Rooms come with private plunge pools and teak lounge furniture, and the whole property is set up for families as much as couples.

The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay

The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay, sits directly on the North Shore's surf coastline, pairing upscale rooms with an architectural oculus ceiling and an infinity pool that runs to the horizon. A hanging wicker nest chair and a surfboard art installation nod to the surf culture just outside the door, and a sunken fire pit anchors the evening terrace. Craft cocktails and small plates run around $75 a person, and the resort welcomes kids as easily as honeymooners.

The Laylow Waikiki, Autograph Collection

The Laylow Waikiki, an Autograph Collection hotel, plays mid-century modern design against tropical colour just blocks from Waikiki Beach. A graphic monstera mural and an architectural bamboo backdrop set the tone in the lobby, while in-pool loungers and sculptural rattan ottomans carry the retro mood outside. It's dog-friendly and family-welcoming, with easy reservations for the on-site cocktail bar.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay sits above Kauai's north shore, framing both Hanalei Bay and the mountains behind it from a mid-size property built around natural materials. Exposed wood beams, a floor-to-ceiling woven wicker backdrop and sculptural live-edge furniture carry the organic modernism through the public rooms. It's a quieter, family-friendly base for the north shore, with spa services and terraces that open straight onto the view.

Osteria Mozza Lanai

Osteria Mozza Lanai brings Italian fine dining to the oceanfront at Manele Bay, under a coffered wood ceiling that runs the length of the room. A thick veined marble slab anchors the bar and a backlit honeycomb-tiled hood glows over the open kitchen, both set against full ocean views through retractable glass. Dinner runs around $75 a person, with craft cocktails and small plates alongside the pasta.

Welina Terrace

Welina Terrace serves Hawaiian cuisine on an open-air terrace above Hanalei Bay in Princeville, with a geometric woven ceiling and an oversized live-edge communal table setting the room's tone. Live music plays through golden hour, and the bay stretches out below as the mountains catch the last light. Dinner runs around $150 a person, and reservations are worth planning ahead for a sunset table.

Kō Restaurant

Kō Restaurant in Wailea serves contemporary American food under a sculptural beaded ceiling installation and beside a luminous penny-tile column that lights the room from within. Wood slat partitions and a curved ceiling keep the moody, amber-lit dining room intimate despite its size. It's a favourite for anniversaries and date nights, with craft cocktails and small plates running around $150 a person.

HIDEOUT

HIDEOUT is a rooftop bar and lounge in Waikiki, built around a custom terrazzo counter, an integrated sand floor and a conical fire pit under fluted yellow paneling. The menu runs to Mai Tais, pork belly Brussels sprouts, a wagyu burger and pulled pork egg rolls, served late into a lively, buzzy room. Expect around $75 a person and a crowd that lingers past sunset.

‘ULU

'Ulu, named for the breadfruit tree at the centre of the resort, occupies the entire first floor at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai with unobstructed Pacific views through floor-to-ceiling glass. An oversized woven cane light fixture and a timber canopy carry the room's tropical modernism out to the central bar overlooking the beach. Signature dishes include tableside poke, crab noodles and a chocolate soufflé, with dinner running around $150 a person.

For the full spread of Hawaii addresses, from beach bars to spa hotels, open the Opulist app or browse the complete Hawaii collection here.